Grier beats Stanley 42-0, will host county title game at Ashbrook Oct. 24

GASTONIA – Grier came into Tuesday’s Gaston County Middle School football semifinal with an unbeaten record, Division I title and the goal of advancing to the title game for the third straight season.

The Knights did just that in an efficient 42-0 victory over visiting Stanley in Tuesday’s semifinal game.

Grier (7-0) advances into the 2012 county title game it will host Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Ashbrook High against the winner of Wednesday’s Southwest at Bessemer City semifinal.

“Hopefully, we can continue the way we played today next week,” said Grier coach Tyson Graham, who will attempt to become the fourth coach to win back-to-back county titles.

Previous back-to-back county football championship coaches were Ashley’s James Parks (1983-85) and Belmont’s Mike Somers (1999-2000 and Danny Green (2009-10).

The Knights scored six touchdowns in their first 17 plays from scrimmage and rolled up 275 yards total offense. Seventh-grade running back Dallas Danner led the way with 106 yards rushing and four touchdowns in eight carries. Junathaen Hager added 74 yards and one touchdown in two carries and British Brooks had 65 yards rushing in five carries.

“They executed everything they wanted to on offense,” said Stanley coach Jon Spell, whose team was Division II runnerup and finishes its season at 5-3.

Stanley reached Grier territory only once in the contest – early in the second quarter – before Ja’Quail Brown’s interception turned away that Blue Devils’ threat.

“I knew they were talented on offense, so what we wanted to do was slow their offensive attack and keep the ball away from them,” Spell said. “That just didn’t happen.”

Stanley finished with 28 yards total offense, as Grier’s Tylik Lomick had two quarterback sacks and Rehchavez Kendrick, Junathaen Hager and Jordan Diggs had two tackles for losses apiece. Also for the Grier defense, Cameren Lowery and Ja’Quail Brown had fumble recoveries.